About the reserve

The single, old juniper tree and areas of cross-leaved heath, heather and bilberry and sphagnum mosses on this reserve show the original heath land character of the wider area.

This small reserve is separated into two by a minor road and is made up of woodland, heathland and grassland. The wooded areas are dominated by silver birch and contain oak, ash and rowan with abundant ground flora such as wood sorrel, dog’s mercury, moschatel.

Ragpath Heath is a common, which is probably why the site has retained its original character. An area of open grassland in the south-east corner of the site is particularly species-rich and includes pignut, devils bit scabious and great burnet.

Typical bird species recorded include woodcock, redpoll, bullfinch and willow warbler. Small copper and brimstone butterfly and roe deer are also seen and over 60 species of fungi have been recorded.